Sunday, April 30, 2006

Welcome to the Medici, the former home of quarterback Matt Leinart and receiver Dwayne Jarrett. Now the upscale apartment complex in downtown Los Angeles is home to the latest controversy embroiling USC. Jarrett paid less than half of what Bob Leinart, the father of Matt, said was a $3,866-a-month lease, and the Trojan receiver reportedly owes Bob Leinart about $10,000. Each player paid $650 a month and Bob Leinart made up the difference — $2,566. Now making up the difference for son Matt's share — $1,283 — is not the problem. But also paying Jarrett's $1,283 share could be considered an extra benefit and possible violation of NCAA rules. University compliance officials are investigating. The players moved into the Medici last June after the Leinarts became concerned over Matt's safety at his previous residence near campus. According to the Leinarts, fans started following the Heisman Trophy winner, who guided the team to the 2004 national championship, to his residence and some would wait outside for his autograph. Matt's mother, Linda, told the L.A. Times she was "freaking out." Leinart has exhausted his eligibility — he was selected 10th in Saturday's NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals — but Jarrett, who was one of three finalists for the 2005 Biletnikoff Award, is entering his junior season. Jarrett thus becomes the first active member of the team to directly be drawn into a ring of alleged potential violations that started a week ago with reports of the parents of former tailback Reggie Bush living (rent-free, it is alleged) in a $757,237 house that was purchased by an aspiring sports marketer. In a nutshell, what we have here is the appearance of a major scandal brewing for a team that had a 34-game winning streak end with a loss to Texas in the Rose Bowl.Update: Pro Football Talk is suggesting that Bob Leinart, who has taken a more active role in his son's representation, may have crossed the line and somehow become an "agent" for his son. Thus the questions regarding potential extra benefits surrounding Jarrett.

Saturday, April 29, 2006

More damning reports for USC and Reggie Bush, who won't be the No. 1 pick in Saturday's NFL draft. (Are you kidding me, Mario Williams? Good luck with that one, Texan fans — that is if any remain.) The developments come from four sources: Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, San Diego Union-Tribune and Pro Football Talk, an excellent site we encourage you to visit for draft updates. The Times' piece — a bit meandering, we must say — advances the alleged connection between LaMar Griffin, Bush's stepfather, and New Era Sports & Entertainment. Griffin, as it previously had been alleged, was in part responsible for starting the company, but the startup date has been pushed to 2004, meaning NCAA infractions could have been in play during USC's national championship season. The Union-Tribune also dates cash payments since late 2004 from investors in New Era to Bush's parents. NCAA investigator Angie Cretors will be in San Diego early next week to begin a probe, the U-T reports. And issues are being raised over Mike Ornstein (marketing) and Joel Segal (agent) — the management team Bush eventually selected over, among others, New Era. Ornstein (pictured left, with Zack Thomas of the Miami Dolphins), who previously worked for the NFL, reportedly pleaded guilty to defrauding the league of $350,000 and was sentenced to six months in a community correction center, ordered to pay more than $160,000 in restitution and put on five years' probation. Ornstein, the Herald reports, was negotiating a deal with a New Jersey memorabilia dealer on behalf of Bush days before USC played Texas in the Jan. 4 Rose Bowl. Ornstein is alleged at one point to have asked by email for a $500,000 payment. Needless to say, this is a big NCAA no-no. In his defense, Ornstein said he was merely soliciting offers in preparation for presentations to prospective clients, at one point calling it a "pretty standard practice." Ornstein also hired Bush as an intern in the summer of 2005. ... As for Segal, the Times reports he was fined and suspended for one year by the NFL Players Association for providing money under an assumed name to a Florida State player in 1993. T.J. Simers of the Times takes a swipe at Ornstein, Segal and USC coach Pete Carroll in the second item of his column (some registration).Update: The L.A. Daily News reported that former USC tailback LenDale White, who tumbled to Tennessee with the 45th pick of the draft, failed a drug test at the NFL predraft combine in late Feburary. Thanks to reader Kevin for this.

Friday, April 28, 2006

LaMar Griffin, the stepfather of Reggie Bush, was a founding member of New Era Sports & Entertainment, according to an attorney representing the fledgling sport agency. Brian Watkins also said that the former USC tailback knew about his stepfather's involvement. Watkins didn't stop there, alleging that the Griffin family did not pay rent while it lived in a house purchased by Michael Michaels, who also was involved in New Era. If the allegations are proven to be true, Bush likely played the 2005 season in violation of NCAA rules. Watkins said New Era is planning to file a $3.2-million lawsuit against the Griffins. Another story making the rounds paints a different picture. ESPN, citing anonymous sources, said the NFL Players Association and NFL Security had concluded that New Era and David Caravantes, an affiliated sports agent, tried to extort $3.2 million from Bush after the tailback chose other representation. The other troubling matter facing USC is quarterback Mark Sanchez, who was arrested on suspicion that he sexually assaulted a female student. Sanchez was free on bail and ordered to appear in court on May 17. And on a sidenote, Trojan hanger-on Snoop Dogg and members of his entourage were arrested after a fracas over access to a first-class lounge at London's Heathrow Airport. Dogg, who was released on bail, has not been charged in the incident that reportedly injured seven police officers. But Dogg has been banned for life from flying British Airways. Update: In possibly the first good news of the week for USC faithful, Dogg — or as he has been known recently, The Big Boss Dogg — was expected to arrive shortly in South Africa, where he will perform a series of gigs.

Joseph Duarte, Houston Chronicle: A decision on the fate of the financially troubled Houston Bowl was delayed until June 26 by an NCAA committee, which also approved new games in Toronto, Birmingham and Albuquerque, bringing the postseason total to 31.

Michael Pointer, Indianapolis Star: Purdue, which will wear throwback jerseys for its opener against Indiana State, will also offer throwback prices with 3,000 tickets being sold for $5, the price of a ticket in 1966.

Jeff White, Richmond Times-Dispatch: Virginia has landed a quarterback for its recruiting class of 2007.

Ron Kantowski, Las Vegas Sun: The Mountain West's move to College Sports TV is like announcing sliced bread but not having a bakery in which to cook it.

Thursday, April 27, 2006

The Los Angeles Times is reporting details of events leading to the arrest of USC quarterback Mark Sanchez on suspicion of sexual assault of a female student. At 11:21 p.m. Tuesday, Sanchez, 19, gained entrance into the 901 Club, a bar and restaurant near campus, using a fake Arizona ID that showed his name as Jordan Traver Uttal, according to an employee at the club who asked not to be identified by name. The employee told the paper that Sanchez "was stoned-faced sober when he came in." At 12:59 a.m. Wednesday, club security cameras showed Sanchez leaving the establishment. At 1:30 a.m., USC students Matthew Menjou and Altman Tsang were returning to their apartment when the car they were in ran out of gas. As they were pushing the vehicle into a parking space, Sanchez showed up and offered to help. Menjou, who said he recognized Sanchez and called him "the next Matt Leinart," said the quarterback was loud and appeared as if he had been drinking. Police said the alleged assault occurred in the early morning and did not give a location. At 4 p.m., Sanchez was arrested at the Cardinal Gardens apartment complex (video link). He was booked and bail was set at $200,000. You can view details of the quarterback's booking by going to this link and entering Sanchez's first and last name. University officials said that Sanchez would be put on "interim suspension" while the case was pending. The L. A. Daily News, which reported that campus security detained Sanchez in March after he allegedly broke a window at a fraternity party but did not make any arrests, said the quarterback attended a workshop Tuesday night at Heritage Hall for athletes on rape awareness. The Daily Trojan reported that this is the third time in three years that the LAPD has investigated a Trojan player for alleged sexual assault at Cardinal Gardens. And the student paper reported in 2005 that the 901 Club was cited by the LAPD for accepting fake IDs. The Reggie Bush story was advanced when the former Trojan acknowledged knowing Michael Michaels, the aspiring San Diego marketer who tried to sign the tailback as a client. But Bush declined to offer any details about his parents' living arrangements that sparked an NCAA investigation.

Legendary sportscaster Keith Jackson, 77, said he won't be back in the booth. Jackson retired in 1999, then returned after ABC officials agreed to cut his travel schedule. But Jackson, who has had both knees replaced and last year had surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles' tendon, said his retirement is official. "This time, I know it's the right decision," he said. ABC lost rights to all bowl championship series games except the Rose to Fox, which announced that Thom Brennaman will be the lead announcer for the title game, scheduled to be played Jan. 8, 2007 in Glendale, Ariz.

Tony Barnhart and Jeff D'Alessio, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: There is no playoff on the horizon, but the possibility of the so-called "plus one" model has support among NCAA decision-makers (registration)

Wally Hall and Bob Holt, Northwest Arkansas Times: Arkansas coach Houston Nutt is having trouble containing his enthusiasm entering the 2006 season, but he's not talking about rival Texas possibly being added to the schedule in 2008 and 2009.

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

It's gone from bad to worse for USC. ABC 7 in Los Angeles has reported that Mark Sanchez, the likely successor to Matt Leinart as USC's quarterback, has been arrested by the LAPD on suspicion of sexual assault of a female student. Update: Associated Press also is reporting Sanchez's arrest. "The alleged assault occurred earlier today," officer Jason Lee told AP. Sanchez was taken into custody just north of campus around 4 p.m.

If you are a USC fan, be worried. Be very worried. New details have emerged that suggest Reggie Bush's family had significant ties and perhaps a business agreement with aspiring sports marketer Michael Michaels, who tried to secure the USC tailback as a client. Hearings regarding a parole violation for Lloyd Lake, who with Michaels was a founding partner of New Era Sports & Entertainment, suggest a deal was in place with Bush before the 2005 season. Now if this is true, toss out our previous statement that USC might receive only a slap on the wrist from the NCAA, which is now on the case. Try forfeiting some or all of the victories of a 12-1 season. Also comes word that New Era met with Trojan tackle Winston Justice in San Diego. This comes from San Diego-based agent David Caravantes, who also testified at a parole hearing for Lake. Justice, oddly enough, is represented by Gary Uberstine, who also is the agent for Trojan coach Pete Carroll. And in yet another bizarre twist to the story, Lake's sister, Lisa, also was mentioned in court as being part of the fledgling business. Lisa just happens to be an anchor for San Diego station KGTV. And yes, she is an alumna of Helix High, the same high school that Bush attended. We can't make this stuff up. ... No, this story is not going away, and if we continue to pile on at this rate, the San Diego Union-Tribune poster of their hometown hero that is featured with this post might soon disappear.

Goodbye Keith Jackson, hello Thom Brennaman. Fox, which secured the rights to bowl championship series games in a four-year, $320 million deal, has made its first big move, announcing that Brennaman, pictured above, will be the lead announcer for the title game, scheduled to be played Jan. 8, 2007 in Glendale, Ariz. Jackson, 77, who said last month that he considers himself retired, is out of the mix anyway because he works for ABC, which has rights to the Rose Bowl. Nonetheless, Jackson leaves a rather large shadow and following this broadcasting legend is no easy task. Other Fox changes include a pregame show for each BCS game rather than anchoring the coverage from the title site. Fox honcho Ed Goren also wants more people stories, getting the idea after watching members of the Ohio State band stretch before they went on the field for last season's Fiesta Bowl. Said Goren: "These folks were ready to go out and compete against the band from Notre Dame. I just thought that was great. And I never saw that on television. We want find stories about the bands, the cheerleaders and the fans in the stands. You're going to see more flavor." (some registration).

Steven M. Sipple, Lincoln Journal Star: One of the most touted recruits in Nebraska's class of 2005 is leaving the team.

Kyle Ringo, Boulder Daily Camera: Colorado coach Dan Hawkins is still adding to his recruiting class of 2006. He has a commitment from the Arizona state record holder for rushing yards in a game (registration).

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Billy Witz, L.A. Daily News: Former USC tailback Reggie Bush said his family "did absolutely nothing wrong" by living in a house owned by Michael Michaels, who allegedly was trying to get Bush to sign with a fledgling marketing and contract agency.

Monday, April 24, 2006

That didn't take long. The site Bevo Sports already is having fun at the expense of Reggie Bush and USC. "Who says that college athletes don't get paid?" the Texas fans site says. The razzing continues: "If this violation holds up, USC would have to forfeit all games Bush played in while this infraction took place, although I am not sure how much good that really does, especially since [it] lost the only game that really mattered against Texas in the Rose Bowl." Ouch!

Well now, maybe it was a good thing that Reggie Bush left USC after his junior season. Otherwise the Trojans could be in serious trouble with the NCAA. Somebody spilled the beans to Yahoo! Sports and the Miami Herald on the living arrangements of Bush's family last season. According to the reports, the family moved from a 1,441-square-foot condominium and into a new 3,002-square-foot house last year in Spring Valley, Calif., after it was purchased for $757,237 by Michael Michaels, a member and employee of a San Diego-area Indian tribe. Michaels, it is alleged, tried to steer Bush to sign with New Era Sports & Entertainment, a fledgling marketing and contract agency headed by David Caravantes, who told the San Diego Union-Tribune: "If things worked out, we going to try to put something together (to become business partners)." ... Communsurate rent in this subdivision is at least $2,500 a month. Stepfather LaMar Griffin, who according the Union-Tribune has faced financial troubles for unpaid bills, works security at Morse High in San Diego. Denise Griffin, Bush's mother, works at the county jail. In other words, the Bush family is from modest means (that will soon change, of course). In the end, Reggie didn't sign with New Era, instead picking Miami-based Joel Segal and former Raider exec Mike Ornstein, who will handle marketing. So the plan to secure Reggie's services blew up and now Michaels has lost his tenants because the Bushes, who even etched their name in concrete on the driveway, moved out Friday. So what's the problem with all of this? NCAA rules prohibit student-athletes or their families from receiving extra benefits from professional sports agents, marketing companies or their representatives. The Pacific 10 is promising to investigate, but expect the conference to hand off to the NCAA. The bottom line? Given what we know and because Reggie is long gone, this will result in a slap on the wrist for USC. Nonetheless, we are very entertained (some registration).

Sunday, April 23, 2006

Minnesota is doing what it can to keep Iowans out of the state on Nov. 18, which happens to be the day the Hawkeyes come rolling into the Metrodome to play the Golden Gophers. And who can blame them? You might recall the 2002 game, when Iowans stormed the Metrodome field after a 45-21 Hawkeye victory. While one group was carrying coach Kirk Ferentz off the field, another was tearing down a goalpost, eventually hauling it up the stairs and into the concourse. Minnesota managed to keep the Iowans off the field in 2004, but Iowa still won, 29-27, highlights of which we have here. Minnesota has had enough of these shenanigans on its home turf, so some new rules are in place for 2006. If you want a ticket to the game, you also have to buy one for the North Dakota State-Minnesota game on Oct. 21 in the Metrodome. It's called the "Gopher Gold Package." But that's not the restrictive part. To buy that package, you must be a Gopher season-ticket holder, a Minnesota "M" Club member, a Minnesota Alumni Association member or a Minnesota resident. These rules apply until Sept. 5, then you can be from anywhere and buy a ticket. "We're not trying to make any big issue out of this," Minnesota ticket manager Dan Teschke said. "We're not saying we're keeping out Hawkeye fans. We're just doing due diligence, and trying to do what's right for our fans and our team." By the way, the winner gets the Floyd of Rosedale trophy, a bronzed pig, which Iowa players are proudly displaying. More on that at a later date (subscription, so full story is in the comments section).

Saturday, April 22, 2006

Marshall fan Jamie Marcum was in Edwards Stadium on April 11 enjoying a Thundering Herd practice when he suddenly saw a young man being chased up the stadium steps by an athletic department official. Marcum took interest in the chase and followed it to the concourse, where he said the man was struggling with Marshall officials. "He was trying to get away, swinging and tugging and trying to pull away," Marcum told the Huntington Herald-Dispatch. Although the buildup this week had been toward Saturday's reunion of the Thundering Herd's 1996 Division I-AA national championship team and filming for the upcoming movie "We Are Marshall," the topic Friday became the spy scandal involving rival West Virginia. Marcum, a Marshall season ticket holder, took note of the response of Mountaineer fans after the news broke. "The reaction today is West Virginia fans are trying to spin it," he said. "I think they should just accept the fact that they're less than perfect like about every other university and quit trying to hide from it. It did happen."

Jason King, Kansas City Star: Kansas is working on extension for Mark Mangino, despite a list of NCAA violations that allegedly occurred under the coach's watch (registration).

Ed McGranahan, Greenville News: The price tag for the facility that Clemson coach Tommy Bowden — the father of Lauren Bowden — envisioned when he was hired seven years ago could hit $70 million, officials say.

Jorge Milian, Palm Beach Post: Kirby Freeman, a backup quarterback, says he will remain at Miami. "There were no promises made," he said.

Eric Hansen, South Bend Tribune: Notre Dame, after reportedly getting a commitment from hotshot quarterback Jimmy Clausen, will be out to impress some elite prospects in attendance at its spring game.

Friday, April 21, 2006

From the Department of If You're Not Cheating You're Not Trying: Officials at Marshall confronted, detained and seized stenographer's notebook pages from a West Virginia student who was in the Edwards Stadium stands for a Thundering Herd practice April 11. And yes, it turns out the student has connections to the Mountaineer program. His notes contained diagrams of formations and derogatory comments about certain Marshall players. The 2006 Mercedes-Benz he was driving was registered to a Parkersburg dealership that loans cars to the West Virginia program. He also had a card in his pocket that listed the phone numbers of the Mountaineer staff. The teams open the season Sept. 2 in Morgantown. And yes, it is a violation of NCAA rules for a representative of another team to attend practice without permission. "Following discussions between the schools and the coaches, we're putting the issue behind us," Mountaineer athletic director Ed Pastilong said. ... Or at least until Sept. 2. Thanks to reader Dave for this beaut!

Thursday, April 20, 2006

What does $248 million buy these days? For the University of Minnesota, it's a new 50,000-seat campus stadium. The Golden Gophers have called the Metrodome, located off-campus in downtown Minneapolis, their home since 1983. Moving to the Metrodome seemed like a good idea at the time because Memorial Stadium, which opened in 1924, was showing its age, and less than 40% of the students lived on campus. Today, about 65% of the more than 50,000 students live on campus. Minnesota's goal is have the proposed facility — already named TCF Bank Stadium — open for the 2009 season. Some hurdles remain and this is an ambitious goal for the university, especially when you factor in that the Vikings and Twins also want new stadiums. We want to thank reader Kevin for sending us links (here, here and here) to renditions of the proposed TCF Bank Stadium (some registration).

Who will be the freshman that makes the biggest impact in 2006? At this point, you can't go wrong taking Ohio State running back Chris Wells, who graduated in December from Akron's Garfield High so he could enroll for the spring quarter in Columbus. During a scrimmage earlier this month, Wells gained 92 yards in 19 carries. Said fullback Stan White of the 6-1, 235 pound Wells: "He's going to punish people while he's here." There are a couple of things working in Wells' favor. First, Antonio Pittman, who ran for 1,331 yards last season, returns, so much of pressure will be taken off Wells. The second factor is that Ohio State will have plenty of offensive firepower, meaning more open space for a back such as Wells to operate.

George Schroeder, Oklahoman: Oklahoma officials say no NCAA rules were violated by running back Adrian Peterson, who aborted the purchase of a late-model Lexus from Norman dealer Big Red, which also employs football players in the off-season (registration).

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

If you haven't heard the news, the football rules committee of the National Federation of State High School Associations has decided to ban the "fumblerooski." The trick play, outlawed in the NFL in the early 1960s and banned in college football in 1993, was a favorite of former Nebraska coach Tom Osborne, who used the risky play numerous times with surprising success. In the 1984 Orange Bowl, Osborne called the fumblerooski with his team trailing Miami, 17-0. Outland and Lombardi trophy winner Dean Steinkuhler rumbled for a 19-yard touchdown that rejuvenated the Cornhuskers, and although Nebraska eventually lost, 31-30, Steinkuhler's place in fame was secure. So why was the fumblerooski banned? According to Jerry Diehl, the assistant director of the National Federation of State High School Associations, the play was an officiating nightmare. Diehl said because the referee had to be informed before the play was run, it created an unnecessary burden to a crew. Diehl told the L.A. Times that banning the play "eliminates confusion in a ballgame."

Doug Lesmerises, Plain Dealer: Ohio State players returned to practice, but their minds were on teammate Tyson Gentry, who has undergone two surgeries for a neck injury suffered in practice.

Gary Klein and Greg Johnson, L.A. Times: USC completed its spring drills with a light practice. Now it's back to the recruiting trail for the coaching staff. Also, former quarterback Matt Leinart completed the switch to agent Tom Condon.

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

How do college football fanatics get a fix in the off-season? Here is a classic example. And if you are a follower of the Texas Longhorns, you won't want to miss it. This nearly 15-minute package has clips from all 13 games and can be downloaded. Once again, we want to thank reader Charlie for sending us this link.

Monday, April 17, 2006

We might be taking a big gamble here in going off-topic, but it's nothing compared to billionaire banker Andy Beal's recent high-stakes poker venture. Beal became interested in poker in 2001 and developed into a world-class player, once winning a reported $12 million in one day. Earlier this year, in what is considered the largest head-to-head cash game of all time, Beal matched $20 million against a coalition of professional players that included Phil Ivey, Jennifer Harman, Todd Brunson and Ted Forrest. The average pot size per hand was well over $300,000, with the largest pot at $1.9 million. Wins and losses ran as high as $10 million in a day, and one session featured two $8 million swings. But after about two weeks, Beal had won most of the coalition's bankroll. Now we don't want to tell the entire story here, but Ivey, pictured above, engineered a turnaround that still has them buzzing in Las Vegas.

Friday, April 14, 2006

Texas is continuing a recruiting haul that is second to none. The latest addition is offensive lineman Tray Allen, a 6-foot-4, 305-pound high school junior. We'd love to see the cafeteria at his high school. Allen is the 19th oral commitment for coach Mack Brown's class of 2007, but the recruit that seems to be catching the eyes of Texas is quarterback-receiver-cornerback John Chiles, who might be the top prep player in the state. You might want to check out this man-against-boys video link of Chiles sent to us by reader Charlie (some registration).

Pete Bosak, Centre Daily Times: A sexual-assault charge against former Penn State defensive lineman Scott Paxson was dismissed, but he still could be tried on two lesser counts. Thanks to reader Kevin for the heads-up.

Tom Oates, Wisconsin State Journal: With 10 practices down and five to go, it's clear that Wisconsin needs work on offense.

Brian Rosenthal, Lincoln Journal Star: Does the addition of a 12th game mean the end of the Big 12 championship game?

Dave Rahme, Post-Standard: Syracuse's offense received much of the blame for last season's 1-10 showing, but now the defense, which lost seven starters, is a concern.

Thursday, April 13, 2006

Chris Conley, Commercial Appeal: Memphis police are backpedaling in their explanation of how Alabama booster Logan Young died and are now calling it a "death investigation" rather than a homicide or an accident (registration).

Teddy Greenstein, Chicago Tribune: Officials had planned to switch Aaron Taylor from his job as studio analyst on ABC's college football show to a role on ESPN, but Taylor surprised everybody last week by saying he was leaving to pursue other interests.

Reid Hanley, Chicago Tribune: Haven't had time to keep up with developments involving Big Ten teams this spring? This will get you up to speed.

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Franco Harris, left, and Lynn Swann shared Super Bowl glory as members of the Pittsburgh Steelers, but Republican Swann, a former ABC sideline reporter for college football telecasts, won't be able to count on his former teammate for support in his race to become governor of Pennsylvania. In fact, Harris is working for Swann's opponent, Democratic incumbent Ed Rendell. "We've always been very close," Harris said of Swann. "But right now I feel there needs to be a change in the direction from where our national administration has taken us and where the Republicans in state government want to take us."

Chris Conley, Commercial Appeal: Alabama booster Logan Young, who was convicted last year of paying a high school coach $150,000 to ensure that prospect Albert Means signed with the Crimson Tide, was killed in his home. His son, Logan Young III, was detained for questioning (registration).

John Heuser, Ann Arbor News: Antonio Bass, a do-it-all offensive performer for Michigan, is likely out for the 2006 season because of knee surgery.

Ted Lewis, Times-Picayune: Officials at the New Orleans Bowl are happy to no longer be leading off the postseason lineup. The game has been moved to Dec. 22. The GMAC Bowl, on Dec. 20, will kick off the postseason.

Marlon W. Morgan, Commercial Appeal: Somebody more intense than Mississippi Madman Ed Orgeron? It appears to be the case, as new offensive line coach Art Kehoe turned up the intensity at the Rebels' spring game.

Saturday, April 08, 2006

Will Vandervort, Columbia State: Because Clemson's spring game will be televised, coach Tommy Bowden, father of Lauren Bowden, will scale things back so the Tigers' plans for the fall won't be fully exposed.

Steve Wiseman, Columbia State: South Carolina, which also holds its spring game Saturday, appears to have a commitment from a top-notch offensive lineman for its class of 2007.

Steve Ellis, Tallahassee Democrat: Florida State spent much of its spring trying to pump up its running game. On Saturday, the results will be displayed.

Dan Collins, Winston-Salem Journal: Wake Forest, which is installing FieldTurf in Groves Stadium, won't have a spring game. Coach Jim Grobe says because of a high number of injuries, his team will conclude drills with a scrimmage.

Jeff Carroll, South Bend Tribune: Justin Hoskins, a reserve running back and former Michigan prep player of the year, will transfer from Notre Dame, leaving only 10 scholarship players from the recruiting class of 2004.

Bob Condotta, Seattle Times: Danny Morovick dropped his plans to be a quarterback to become a long snapper. The move paid off with a scholarship to Washington.

Carter Strickland, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Georgia will try to sort out its quarterback puzzle when it stages its spring game on Saturday (registration).

Chris Low, Tennessean: After the 2005 spring game, Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer thought his team could contend for the national championship. Instead the Volunteers finished 5-6.

Friday, April 07, 2006

Plenty of buzz surrounding the USC Trojans, past and present. First comes word that Hershel Dennis, a candidate to replace running back Reggie Bush, will miss the season after blowing out his left knee during practice on Tuesday. And Ben Malcolmson, the Daily Trojan reporter who made the team as a walk-on, has suffered a dislocated shoulder, so he's done for the spring. As for some former Trojans, the fallout continues from Sunday's pro day. Bush, the expected No. 1 pick in the April 29-30 draft, has his first endorsement deal. He's the new pitchman for Subway and will be featured on SubwayFreshBuzz.com. Flush with cash, Bush wasted little time, reportedly purchasing a new Mercedes. And the site Pro Football Talk is reporting (scroll down on page) that former teammate Matt Leinart, who took a bruising for not running the 40-yard dash at pro day, is now blaming representatives Leigh Steinberg and Chuck Price for that decision. The site speculates that Leinart will break from Steinberg and Price and join Tom Condon after the draft. Offensive tackle Winston Justice, whose stock soared after his impressive pro day performance, reportedly has broken ranks with Steinberg. The speculation is that Justice was upset that Steinberg was spending too much time with Leinart. Justice, according to KFFL.com, will land with Gary Uberstine, who has a partnership with former Trojan Willie McGinest and Snoop Dogg, a hanger-on at USC games and practices. Now if you want to see video and analysis of USC's pro day, check out this link (12 minutes in length). We also have a link to an interview with former Trojan tailback LenDale White (7 minutes in length), whose stock tumbled after he participated in only one pro day drill.

Ohio State has unveiled a new uniform design, and if a Cleveland Plain Dealer poll is an indication, Buckeye fans are not embracing the change. The most noticeable differences are that the gray stripes are gone from the sleeves, and the stripes of black, white and scarlet that remain are thinner. Players' numbers also have moved from the shoulders to the sleeves. At the time of this posting, fans voting in the Plain Dealer poll say they prefer the previous jersey, 73.4 to 14.6 percent. Twelve percent of those voting didn't care, which makes you wonder why they even bothered to vote.

John Henderson, Denver Post: Eight recruits admitted that they committed rape, at least 25 said they had nonconsensual sex and 27% consumed alcohol on their trips, according to an NCAA survey of more than 5,000 student-athletes who took recruiting trips from 1999-2005. Thanks to Fan Blogs for digging this up.

Mike Knobler, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Joe Gaston has suffered a knee injury that will keep the Georgia Tech safety sidelined for the 2006 season (registration).

Thursday, April 06, 2006

Terrific post by the Texas site Bevo Sports, which has a two-minute highlight package from the Longhorns' orange-white scrimmage Saturday that concluded spring practice. Texas is working out of the shotgun formation, just like 2005, but there is much work to be done with Vince Young leaving for the riches of the NFL (direct link to spring video). Quarterbacks Colt McCoy and Jevan Snead are battling to replace Young and a decision on a starter won't be made until fall. In the meantime, Texas continues to stockpile talent, with standout Florida prep quarterback John Brantley becoming the 18th player to give coach Mack Brown an oral commitment for the class of 2007 (some registration).

With baseball starting its seemingly endless season, we felt it was time to resurrect one of the classic quotes for all of us who see the so-called national pastime as something that stands between spring football and the regular season. Love him or hate him, Beano Cook came up with the zinger after 52 American hostages held at the U.S. embassy in Tehran for 14 months arrived home safely in 1981. Cook, when told that then-commissioner Bowie Kuhn had offered the hostages lifetime baseball passes, remarked, "Haven't they suffered enough?"

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Kevin Spain, Times-Picayune: NCAA president Myles Brand said that presidents of the 11 Division I-A conferences have shown no inclination toward a football playoff. Thanks to the great Ben Maller for digging this up.

Paul Buker, Oregonian: Oregon State coach Mike Riley is counting on an influx of talent from the junior college level to jumpstart the 2006 season.

Beth Velliquette, Durham Herald-Sun: Four Duke players and one North Carolina player will have charges stemming from a fight in downtown Chapel Hill dismissed if they complete community service requirements and pay fines.

Patrick Obley, Columbia State: As expected, the Clemson-Temple game, scheduled for Oct. 14 at Temple, has been moved to Oct. 12 and will be played at Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium.

Kent Babb, Columbia State: South Carolina standout Syvelle Newton, who played three offensive positions before a season-ending injury in 2005, now wants to give defense a try.

Brian Hawkins, Starkville Daily News: Mississippi State coach Sylvester Croom has suspended six players who were arrested for assaulting an off-duty police officer.

Jon Malavolti, Lansing State Journal: Michigan State has received its second oral commitment for the class of 2007.

Mick McGrane, San Diego Union-Tribune: San Diego State has lost a second tight end to injury and could be shorthanded at the position this fall.

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Brian Hawkins and Travis Downey, Starkville Daily News: Five Mississippi State players are each facing a charge of felony assault after an incident with an off-duty officer. The great site EDSBS had this first, and you should check out the Fulmer Cup, a scoreboard of off-season shenanigans.

David Whitley, Orlando Sentinel: Florida is the NCAA basketball champion, but more important, when is the spring game?

Phil Kornblut, Columbia State: Offensive lineman Quintin Richardson, one of the top high school juniors in South Carolina, plans to announce his college choice Friday.